Dozy Bear and the Secret of Sleep

PreS-K—Dozy Bear doesn't know how to go to sleep. Mama, Papa, Nana, and Grampy Bear help Dozy find slumber by teaching him to listen to the quiet sounds of the night and by showing him how to practice deep breathing. Meant to be read aloud, the text uses unspecified "tried-and-true techniques" to teach children how to fall asleep. A lot of the success of this selection may depend upon the tone and cadence of readers' voices. The rhythmic language and the repetition and emphasis of certain words create a tranquil mood. Words such as heavy, cozy, settled, and snuggled encourage body awareness and mindfulness. The mellow illustrations reinforce the text's gentle progression toward sleep as they transition from the warm colors of sunset into the soft and cool hues of night. Children will appreciate Dozy Bear and his forest friends. Parents whose children struggle to fall asleep may benefit from integrating this story into the bedtime routine. Outside of naptime and bedtime, the title may lack the versatility necessary for general classroom and library use.